The Information and Broadcating (I&B) Ministry and the Government of India is leaving no stone unturned to mark September 29 as Surgical Strike Day. According to a report in English daily The Indian Express, the Centre plans to direct the private news channels and radio stations to commemorate the day through their platforms.

The report further mentions that popular Bollywood lyricist and ad man, Prasoon Joshi, has been requested to pen a "special" anthem to mark the Surgical Strike Day. Prasoon Joshi is also the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The report quoted Amit Khare, the Secretary for I&B, giving out the information about the government's special plans to commemorate the Surgical Strike Day.

Earlier, the same paper had mentioned that an exhibition would be organised at India Gate to mark the day. The UGC has also issued a directive to educational institutions to celebrate and mark September 29 as Surgical Strike Day. Surgical Strike Day on September 29: UGC Tells Vice Chancellors of All Universities to Undertake Activities, Opposition Leaders Fume.

On Friday, Jawahar Lal Nehru (JNU) University Vice chancellor, M Jagadesh Kumar, while speaking to news agency ANI, said that JNU will celebrate September 29 as ‘The Surgical Strike Day’. “We'll be celebrating in JNU. JNU is very closely related to the defence forces. When our alumni go and fight for us at the borders, as a University, we must recognise their contribution.” All the cadets, who join the National Defence Academy (NDA) after 10+2, are provided with a graduation degree of JNU after the completion of the course. JNU VC Says University Will Observe Surgical Strike Day On September 29.

However, Bengal state minister Partha Chatterjee said on Friday that "The UGC direction to universities to mark September 29 as 'Surgical Strike Day' is a part of the BJP's 'agenda' and educational institutes in West Bengal will not celebrate the day". The education minister criticised the BJP-led central government for trying to "malign and politicise" the Army.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2018 11:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).